Platform shoe, last and insole therefor and manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

An insole for a high heeled platform shoe ( 30 ), shaped to accommodate a platform ( 48 ) between the insole and an underside of a wearer&#39;s foot. Also, a high heeled platform shoe ( 30 ) including an outsole, an insole and a platform, in which the outsole is located on one side of the insole and the platform is located on the other side of the insole. Also, a last for lasting a high heeled platform shoe, the last being shaped to correspond to the shape of a foot and a platform located against the sole of the foot. Manufacture includes providing a platform located on one side of an insole and an outsole on the other side of the insole. The platform and its location above the insole provide comfort to the wearer of the shoe and reduce health problems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a platform shoe or footwear, in particular a high heeled platform shoe. The invention also relates to a last, an insole and a method of manufacturing a platform shoe.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

High heeled shoes are typically worn to make a wearer appear taller. Various health problems may be caused by wearing high heeled shoes. High heeled shoes slant the foot forward and down while bending the toes up. The more that the feet are forced into this position, the more the Achilles tendon may shorten. This may then cause problems when the wearer chooses lower heels or flat-soled shoes. Also, when the foot slants forward, a much greater weight is transferred to the ball of the foot and the toes, increasing the likelihood of damage to the underlying soft tissue that supports the foot. Further, in many shoes, style dictates function, such that toes compress or are forced together, possibly resulting in blisters, corns, hammer toes, bunions (hallux valgus), Morton's neuroma, plantar fasciitis and many other medical conditions, most of which are permanent and may necessitate surgery. Furthermore, high heels, because they tip the foot forward, put pressure on the lower back by making the rump push outwards, crushing the lower back vertebrae and contracting the muscles of the lower back. It is therefore desirable to reduce the degree to which the foot slants forward.

Known platform shoes raise a fore part of a wearer's foot so that the difference in heights of the fore part and a heel of the foot is less than if the fore part was not raised. Alternatively or additionally, raising the fore part of the foot facilitates further raising of the heel. Such platform shoes include midsoles made from plastic. Shoes made with such midsoles are typically uncomfortable to wear.

A known document, WO2009/109833, discloses a platform shoe having a forefoot portion for supporting and covering a fore part of a wearer's foot. The forefoot portion is such that the fore part of the foot is raised from the ground. Referring to FIG. 1, the shoe 10 has a shoe upper 12 and a sole 14. The shoe 10 is shown on a last 16 on which the shoe is formed. The sole 14 is made of multiple layers, namely an insole 18, a spacer piece termed a “midsole” 20 which serves to elevate the wearer's foot, and an outsole 22. The insole 18 forms the interior bottom of the shoe and sits beneath the wearer's foot. An insole foam layer 24 is located between the insole 18 and the midsole 20. Another layer in the form of an upper lining 26 is located on the insole 18 to form a contact surface with the underside of the wearer's foot. Outsole 22 directly contacts ground. The midsole 20 is located between the insole 18 and the outsole 22. The shoe upper 12 is fastened to the outsole 22 and the midsole 20 to partially enclose the wearer's foot. A certain amount of rigidity is required in the insole 18 and the outsole 22 in order for the shoe to retain its shape when walking. Typically, the insole 18 is made of a hard material and includes a metal shank. There is typically little material, if any, between the underside of the wearer's foot and the insole 18. It is well known that high-heeled shoes are uncomfortable for the wearer.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the comfortableness of such shoes and to prevent or reduce health problems associated with such shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a platform shoe wherein the platform is located above the insole. Thus, an outsole may be located on one side of the insole and the platform located on the other side of the insole. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a platform shoe including an outsole, an insole and a platform, wherein the outsole is located on one side of the insole and the platform is located on the other side of the insole.

As the platform is placed above the insole, the platform is closer to the wearer's foot. This addresses some of the issues mentioned above. This may benefit the wearer by countering some of the potential detrimental effects of wearing high heels, some of which are mentioned in the following:

-   -   They may cause foot pain.     -   They increase likelihood of sprains and fractures.     -   They may create foot deformities, including hammertoes and         bunions.     -   They may cause an unsteady gait.     -   They may shorten the wearer's stride.     -   They may render the wearer unable to run.     -   Altered forces at a wearer's knee caused by walking in high         heels may predispose the wearer to degenerative changes in the         knee joint.     -   They may cause foot and tendon problems.     -   Women who wear high heels frequently have a higher incidence of         degenerative joint disease of the knees. This is because the         high heels cause a decrease in the normal rotation of the foot,         which puts more rotation stress on the knee.

In addition, the extra height provided at the fore part of the shoe allows the heel of the shoe to be of greater height without increasing the angle of the shoe and without increasing pressure on the fore portion of the wearer's foot.

Preferably, the platform is resiliently compressible for shock absorption. This further aids in preventing some of the potentially detrimental effects of wearing high heels.

The platform shoe may include a sock, in which case the platform is located below the sock. The sock is of a material deformable to match the contours of the underside of a wearer's foot. This provides comfort to the wearer. The platform may be located between the insole and a sock.

The platform may be formed of a synthetic material such as poly-urethane or non-synthetic (natural) material such as natural cork. The platform may be selected from several possible platforms in accordance with characteristics and/or wishes of the wearer, such as the height and weight of the wearer etc. Different platforms for different shoes/wearers may be of different size, volume, depth, width and density. Attributes of the platform may then be incorporated into the overall design of the shoe. For example, the depth of the platform will alter the size of the upper required.

The platform and the sock may be formed of a single piece. This piece may be of a single or multiple materials.

The platform shoe described above may be a high heeled platform shoe. Such a platform shoe may further comprise a heel portion, arranged such that a bottom of a heel of a wearer's foot is raised higher than a bottom of a fore part of the foot.

The platform may be made of multiple layers of material. Thus different layers of material may have different properties of rigidity, cushioning and density. The platform may be selected from several platforms, each having layers of material of different rigidities, cushioning and density properties in accordance with a known physical parameters of the wearer, such as weight and height.

The platform may comprise of different regions for abutting against different parts of the foot and which have different rigidity and cushioning properties. For example, the regions against which the heel and a fore part of the wearer's foot abut may be made of softer material than other regions of the platform.

The insole may include a shank for supporting the weight of a wearer, wherein the shank is shaped to accommodate the platform. The insole may alternatively be made of a single piece of material not incorporating a shank. In this case the material of the insole is strong enough to prevent need for the shank. This can be a single piece of steel or aluminium or hardened plastic.

The platform may fit flush against at least a fore part of the insole. The platform may not extend over a rear part of the insole.

Alternatively, the platform may extend over the rear part of the insole. The platform may be thinner at the rear part of the shoe than at the fore. Alternatively, the platform may be of approximately uniform thickness.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an insole for a platform shoe, comprising forming an insole shaped to accommodate a platform between the insole and the underside of a wearer's foot.

There is further provided a method of manufacturing a platform shoe comprising the method of manufacturing an insole described above.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is yet further provided a method of manufacturing a platform shoe, including locating the platform above the insole. This may be such that the platform is on one side of the insole and an outsole is on the other side of the insole.

The method may further comprise attaching the platform to the insole, lasting the insole, the platform and an upper, and attaching the outsole to the insole and upper. Alternatively, the method may further comprise lasting the insole and an upper, then inserting the platform, and attaching the outsole to the insole and upper before or after inserting the platform.

The method may further comprise a step of affixing a heel portion to the insole, before or after lasting. The method may also comprise a prior step of forming a last for lasting the shoe. Alternatively, the heel portion and the outsole may be formed of a single piece and attached at the same time.

The method may further comprise locating a sock so that when the shoe is worn the sock is between the platform and the wearer's foot. The method may further comprise lasting an upper between the insole and the outsole.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a last (secondary last) for lasting a platform shoe, shaped to correspond to the shape of a foot or a primary last and a platform located against the sole of the foot. According to a yet other aspect of the present invention, there is provided a last (secondary last) for lasting a platform shoe, shaped to correspond to the shape of a foot, a sock located against the sole of the foot and a platform for locating between an insole and the sock. There may be provided an insole formed against such a last.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a (secondary) last, comprising moulding a (secondary) last to correspond to the shape of another (primary) last and (at least) a platform.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insole for a platform shoe, shaped to accommodate at least a platform between the insole and an underside of a wearer's foot. The insole may be further shaped to accommodate a sock between the insole and an underside of a wearer's foot. The insole may be formed of sufficiently strong material that a shank is not required.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support for a platform shoe, the support extending at least partially around the periphery thereof for impeding sagging or contracting of an upper. The support may extend between the insole and the platform.

There may be provided an assembly comprising a platform for a platform shoe and an aforementioned support.

The platform may include a recessed portion therein extending at least partially around the platform, and at least part of the support fits in said recess.

There may also be provided a part for a platform shoe, comprising an insole for a platform shoe, wherein the insole and the aforementioned support are attached or integrally formed.

In any of the above described aspects, the platform may be at least 1 cm, or at least 2 cm, or at least 3 cm, or at least 4 cm, or at least 5 cm or at least 6 cm in thickness. In any of the above described aspects, the platform shoe may be a high heeled platform shoe. In such case in use of the shoe the height of a wearer's heel from the ground may be at least 2 cm. Such height would not normally be above 20 cm. The height may be at least 5 cm, at least 7 cm, or at least 10 cm from the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For better understanding of the invention, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a platform shoe of known design located over a last, as shown in the known document, WO2009/109833;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a platform shoe in accordance with an embodiment of the invention while located on the foot of a wearer;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a platform shoe in accordance with the embodiment located over a last;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an insole in the platform show of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram indicating steps in a process of making a platform shoe in accordance with the embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Like parts are denoted by like reference numerals throughout.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and should not be deemed limiting. For example, a shoe has a conventional orientation and the words “fore”, “rear”, “above” and “below” are to be construed in view of that orientation. Similarly, a foot has a conventional orientation and the words “fore” and “underside” are to be construed in view of that orientation.

The term “platform” is used to refer to an element whose function will be apparent from the following description. The term “spacer” or “spacer element” may alternatively be used.

The platform shoe 30 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a rear portion 32, a midfoot portion 34 and a forefoot portion 36 each respectively over a longitudinal section of the shoe. The sections are indicated at A, B and C in FIG. 3. The rear portion 32 of the shoe fits around the heel of a wearer's foot 38, below the calcaneus bone, and also such as to elevate the heel of the wearer's foot 38 from the ground 40. The midfoot portion 34 fits around the arch of the foot 38, formed by the tarsal bones. The forefoot portion 36 of the shoe 30 fits around the fore part of the foot 38, including the toes and metatarsals. In addition to the rear portion 32 raising the heel of the wearer's foot 38 from the ground 40, the fore part of the foot 38 is raised from the ground 40 by a platform 48 in at least the forefoot portion of the shoe, as will be described in detail in the following. In this embodiment, the rear portion 32 raises the heel of the foot 38 higher than the forefoot portion 36 raises the fore part of the foot 38.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shoe 30 comprises a sole, an upper 42 and a heel 44. In FIG. 3, these parts are shown on a last 43. The sole is formed of multiple layers, namely an insole 46, the platform 48 and an outsole 50.

The upper 42 helps to hold the shoe 30 onto the foot 38. The upper 42 may be made of leather or another suitable material. The heel 44 is typically formed of a high density plastics material and includes an abrasion resistance base piece 45 (known as the “top piece” in the art) for impacting against the ground 40. The heel 44 supports the heel of the wearer's foot.

The insole 46 attaches to a lasting margin 42 a of the upper 42. The insole 46 is disposed between the outsole 50 and the platform 48. Thus the outsole 50 is located on one side of the insole 46 and the platform 48 is located on the other side of the insole 46. The insole 46 may be made from cellulosic paper board, such as strong cardboard, or synthetic non-woven insole board, but may be made of another material. Since the platform 48 is located above the insole 46, the insole 46 may in embodiments be formed of a harder material than is conventional without causing discomfort to the wearer, for example aluminium.

The outsole 50 forms the exterior bottom of the shoe 30, and is for repeated contact with the ground. The outsole 50 may be made of leather or hard rubber (natural rubber or synthetic such as polyurethane), although other materials are suitable. The outsole may comprise a single piece, or may be an assembly of separate pieces of different materials. It has fore, central and heel portions thereof respectively in the forefoot, midfoot and rear portions 36, 34, 32 of the shoe 30. A surface of the fore portion of the outsole 50 directly contacts the ground 40. The outsole 50 arches in its central portion from its fore portion to the rear portion 32 of the shoe 30. The part of the outsole 50 in the rear portion extends downwardly from the central portion to the ground 40 or near to the ground 40 down a front facing side of the heel portion 32. The base piece 45 may be considered as a part of the outsole 50.

A purpose of the platform 48 is as a spacing element for raising the bottom of the fore part of the foot 38 from the ground 40 to make the wearer appear taller. The platform 48 is located between the insole 46 and the wearer's foot. The platform 48 is preferably made of synthesised material. The material may be a foamed material such as a shape retentive, flexible polymer. The material may be polyurethane. In embodiments, the platform 48 may provide a cushioning structure that is comfortable against the underside of the foot. The material of the platform 48 does not however compress substantially and so does not affect lateral movement of the foot, nor does the material depress significantly to render the shoe unstable. A suitable material is an injection moulded foam such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). EVA is a polymer that approaches elastomeric materials in softness and flexibility, yet can be processed like other thermoplastics. EVA has little or no odour. Other suitable foam polymers or rubber mixed with compounds may be used to form the platform 48, for example polyurethane, thermoplastic rubber, and nitrol polyvinyl.

The platform is preferably at least 0.3 cm in thickness. More preferably, the platform is at least 1 cm in thickness, or at least 1.5 cm in thickness. More preferably still, the platform 48 may be at least 2 cm, or more preferably at least 3 cm, or at least 4 cm or at least 5 cm in thickness. It is noted that herein the disclosure of alternative values for the lower limit of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

In embodiments, the upper surface of the platform 48 and a rear part of an upper surface of the inner sole 46 are shaped to approximately conform to the shape of the underside of a wearer's foot, and the shape and width are such as to approximately minor the shape of the overlying region of the wearer's foot. The platform 48 includes a peripheral portion of material extending around longitudinal sides and front which has a greater thickness than more centrally located material of the platform 48, in order to conform to the shape of the foot.

The rear portion 32 raises the heel of the foot 38 such that the bottom of the heel is a distance indicated at X from the ground 40 when the shoe 30 is located on the ground 40. This distance may be from 2 cm to 20 cm. Preferably, the bottom of the heel is at least 3.5 cm from the ground.

The forefoot portion 36 raises the fore part of the foot 38 such that the bottom of the fore part is a distance indicated at Y from the ground 40. This distance may be at least 1 cm. The shoe raises the bottom of the heel of the wearer a distance X-Y from the bottom of the fore part of the foot 38. Generally, the greater the distance X, the greater the distance Y can be. The greater the distance X-Y, the more pressure will be put on the fore of the wearer's foot. Also, for smaller shoe sizes, distance Y should be reduced, preferably proportionally. The distance X-Y is preferably at least 1 cm, more preferably still at least 2 cm.

The shoe 30 also includes a sock 52, which sits on the platform 48 between the platform 48 and a bottom of a foot. The sock may be adhered to the platform 48 by an adhesive or other attachment means. The sock 52 and the platform 48 may be provided as a single piece. The sock 52 may comprise the platform 48. The sock may be made of memory foam.

Referring to FIG. 4, the insole 46 has a shank 54 affixed on an underside thereof. The shank is typically a metal strip running from the heel portion to the fore part of the shoe, to act as a support bridge to take the wearer's weight. The underside is shown in the Figure. The insole 50 and the shank 54 are shaped to accommodate the platform 48 on an upper side thereof The shank 54 is fixed to the insole 46, by rivets 46 a in the present case, although other kinds of fixing means may be used.

Since the insole 46 is spaced from the foot by the platform 48, it may be made of a highly rigid material without compromising comfort. For example, the insole may be made of metal. In this case a shank 54 is not required. Also, where a shank is provided, the shank could alternatively be affixed to the upper side of the insole.

It has been mentioned that the insole 46 and the platform 48 may be shaped to conform to the shape of the underside of the foot. However, it is not essential for them to be shaped to conform to the contours of the foot. The platform 48, as well as the insole 46, may be made out of rigid material, preferably a material which also absorbs shock. The sock may be shaped to conform the contours of the underside of the wearer's foot. The sock may be formed of a deformable material, for example a memory foam or another suitable material.

In embodiments, the shank 54 is not required. Advantageously, the insole is instead formed of a sufficiently strong, rigid material that it is capable of supporting the wearer's weight. For example, the insole may be made from aluminium. The insole 46 and the platform 46 may be formed of a single piece.

Referring to FIG. 5, the platform shoe 30 can be made according to the processes described in the following. Conventionally, shoes are built around a last that resembles the shape of a foot. A different last is typically required for manufacture of shoes for right and left feet. Lasts are typically moulded from high-density plastic, although other materials are suitable. The shape of the last may be designed using dedicated design software. The resulting shape of the shoe depends on the shape of the last, and may also depend on the lasting process used and the material from which the shoe is made. A conventional last around which the shoe is formed is referred to in the following as a “primary last”.

In one process, the insole 46 is formed or preformed separately to the rest of the shoe. Apparatus for forming the insole 46 comprises a mould piece or specially adapted last (“secondary last”) having a pressing surface substantially matching the shape of a wearer's foot and the platform 48 when against the wearer's foot. The secondary last has a larger forefoot section than the primary last.

The secondary last may be created from an assembly of the primary last and the platform or a shape corresponding to the shape of the platform. Thus, the primary last is created, the platform is created from the primary last and then the secondary last is created from the primary last and the platform or corresponding shape. The mould piece or secondary last may also be shaped to allow for the thickness of the sock. However it should be understood that the making of a secondary last does not require the existence of a primary last.

The mould piece or secondary last presses against a template insole to form the insole 46. Alternatively, the insole 46 may be otherwise formed, particularly where the material of the insole 46 is unsuitable for manufacture by pressing.

Thus, as indicated at step A in FIG. 5, an insole is formed using the secondary last such that when the platform 38 is affixed, the upper surface of the consequent assembly approximately corresponds to the underside of a foot. The platform 48 is then fixed to the insole 46 at step B, for example by adhering.

In step C, the insole 46 and the upper 42 are lasted, with the platform 48 attached to the insole 46, using a primary last to form a shoe enclosure, such that the platform 48 is on one side of the insole 46, and the platform 48 is located adjacent the primary last. The upper 42 is thus cemented at its margin to the edges of the insole 46 to create the foot enclosure.

In step D, the heel portion is then attached to the insole 46, for example by a screw arrangement, and the outsole 50 is adhered to the upper 42, the insole 46 and the heel portion. In an alternative to cementing, the upper 42 can be stitched to the insole and/or other layers.

Any one or more of steps A to D may be carried out by hand or an appropriately configured lasting machine.

The sock can be adhered or otherwise attached to the platform 48 after step D. Alternatively, the sock can be adhered or otherwise attached to the platform 48 before step A.

After a step including adhering/cementing, the adhered/cemented parts may be left to dry or partially dry, for example for 10-15 minutes. Subsequently the adhered components may be heated to activate the adhesive, and combined in a pressure machine to apply force/weight to the glued components. During this process, the materials of the soles are under stress. The process requires the platform 48 to be formed of a material that is hard enough to maintain its shape to avoid distortion of the platform 48 while the shoe is lasted. The shoe may be lasted for up to 36 hours.

In an alternative process, the insole 46 may be formed from a template against an assembly comprising the primary last with which the shoe will later be lasted, and a block of the shape of the platform that is attached to the last, such that the insole is formed to have a shape such that when the platform is put against it, the shape of the consequent assembly will be approximately the shape of the underside of a wearer's foot. In an alternative, the block may be absent and instead, conveniently, the actual platform 48 may be attached to the underside of the primary last and then the insole 46 shaped from a template to conform to the shape of the platform 48 and the primary last. This requires the platform 48 to be formed of a material hard and strong enough for shaping of the insole 46 against it. In this process, a secondary last is not required.

In a variant process, the shoe 30 can be lasted without the platform 48 and the sock using the secondary last. The platform 48 can instead be inserted and adhered to the insole 46 after lasting. In this case, the sock can also be adhered or otherwise affixed to the platform 48 before or after the platform 48 is inserted. In this case, the platform 48 does not have to tolerate pressure or heat treatment that may be involved in lasting, and also a primary last is not necessarily required.

It will be appreciated that for different heights of heel and different sizes of shoe, different primary and secondary lasts will be required. For example, the shoe 30 might be produced with heels of four different heights. In this case, different shaped soles will be required necessitating a particular primary last for each height for each size of shoe. Also, different secondary lasts may be required for the lasting process.

Also, the shape of the last (primary or secondary, depending on the particular process used) depends on the desired shape of the region enclosing the wearer's toes. Other characteristics of the shoe that have to be selected are the platform material, the dimensions of the platform, a sock pattern, and an upper material and pattern.

In a variant process, a mould is provided shaped to form the platform, and the insole may be formed separately and located in the mould. The platform is then formed by injection moulding into the mould and bonds to the insole in the moulding process. The shoe is then lasted using the integrated platform and insole using an appropriately shaped last.

Generally, shoes in accordance with embodiments can be hand-made or bulk manufactured by machine.

In another embodiment, the platform shoe may be modified to include a support located between the platform and the insole. The purpose of the support is to provide rigidity to impede sagging or contracting of the upper after lasting, since the platform alone may not provide sufficient rigidity for this purpose. In particular, leather, stretched during lasting, may attempt to return towards its original shape and the purpose of the support is to impede this.

FIG. 6 shows a platform 48 a and support 56 having a lip 58. The lip 58 extends around the periphery of the platform. The platform 48 a and the support 56 are shaped to take the place of the platform 48 shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the support 56 extends over the insole between the insole and the platform 48 a. Thus in this case the support is in the form of a tray and the platform is shaped to accommodate the support 56. The tray can be formed of a single piece of hardened plastic, or another material.

The support may be in the form of a frame, such that it extends around the periphery of the platform without material extending over the whole of the insole between the insole and the platform.

The support may reduce the tendency of the upper to sag or contract, irrespective of whether the shoe is lasted with the platform in or if the platform is inserted afterwards. In particular, where the upper is attached to the insole and the platform is formed of flexible material, the support may impede sagging or contracting of the upper during lasting or finished of the shoe. The support provides structural rigidity to the shoe, where the flexibility of the platform might result in creasing or sagging of the upper. The support may be fixed to the insole, for example by an adhesive. The support and the insole may be formed of a single piece.

Various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. The insole 46 and outsole 50 can be integrally formed. Any one or more of the platform 48, the insole 46 and the outsole 50 can each be formed of more than one piece. The multiple pieces may be in the form of layers.

The heel and the insole may be formed of a single piece.

In a modification, the platform does not extends to the heel portion of the shoe. The underside of a wearer's foot thus rests against the platform from the forefoot to the heel, which improves comfort against the heel. A sock may be located between the platform and the underside of the foot.

A platform shoe may also include a midsole or spacer between the insole and the outsole. The midsole or spacer may provide additional height to the wearer. The midsole or spacer may absorb shock when the shoe is in use.

It should be understood that, while embodiments are described in a high heeled shoe, embodiments of the invention can be implemented as a flat platform shoe or a boot or any kind of shoe with a heel in which the fore foot is raised. Embodiments of the invention are suitable for shoes intended for men as well as for women.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Key to FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6

-   30—platform shoe -   32—rear portion of platform shoe -   34—midfoot portion of platform shoe -   36—forefoot portion of platform shoe -   38—foot -   40—ground -   42—upper -   42 a—lasting margin -   43—last -   44—heel -   45—top piece -   46—insole -   46 a—rivets -   48, 48 a—platform -   50—outsole -   52—sock -   54—shank -   56—support -   58—lip 

1-50. (canceled)
 51. A high heeled platform shoe including: an outsole; an insole and a platform formed of a single piece of material, for raising a foot of a wearer at the fore and rear of the shoe, wherein a heel of the wearer is raised from the ground by at least 3.5 cm, wherein the outsole is located on a lower side of the single piece in use, wherein the single piece is resiliently deformable for shock absorption, and wherein the single piece is thinner at a rear portion thereof than at a fore portion thereof, and at a fore portion thereof the single piece is at least 1 cm in thickness.
 52. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, further comprising an upper, wherein the upper is lasted between the single piece and the outsole.
 53. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, wherein the platform is formed of a synthetic or non-synthetic material.
 54. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, further comprising a heel portion for supporting a wearer's heel, wherein the heel portion is sized such that a bottom of a heel of a wearer's foot is raised higher than a bottom of a fore part of the foot.
 55. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, wherein the insole includes a shank for supporting the weight of a wearer, wherein the shank is shaped to accommodate a platform between the wearer's foot and the shank.
 56. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, wherein the single piece is made of sufficiently strong material to support the weight of a wearer, such that a separate shank is not required.
 57. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, wherein the single piece is made of multiple regions of material that vary in characteristics.
 58. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, further comprising a rigid support extending at least partially around the periphery of the platform.
 59. A high heeled platform shoe according to claim 51, including a midsole or spacer between the single piece and the outsole to provide additional height to the wearer.
 60. The high heeled platform shoe of claim 51, wherein the single piece is at least lcm in thickness. 